Why do we still bother with paper tickets?

On the basis that citing a certain name here will probably send you into the arms of the business section, or the TV listings, I’ll spare everyone the trauma.

It’s striking, though, to look at how tickets have been the vehicle of misfortune for yet another high-ranking Irish sporting official. There’s quite a deal of huffing and puffing about the brave new world of 21st century sport, and a few Irish sporting administrators must be wishing e-ticketing had come into effect many years ago.

Unsurprisingly given the gold standard in ticketing messes, the FAI’s unorthodox dealings with a London-based ticket agent in the early 90s who apparently travelled under different names — the last trait what you’d want in someone you’re entrusting with a lot of money. The second-last trait is a nickname like ‘George the Greek’, but this was the man the FAI deal with. If your recall is good then you’ll remember that the fall-out from this particular mess eventually led to the departure of several high-ranking FAI officers, including then-honorary treasurer Joe Delaney, whose son John is now FAI chief executive.